Designer Handbag Report

Designer bags are popular with
fashionistas and
working women
who have invested interests in both quality and
style. Those who follow trends are often
prone to chasing the latest "hot" name designer,
while other women are interested in the fine
craftsmanship and durability that comes with
upscale designers.

Because for most these are
investment pieces, classic statements are among
the most popular, but subtle incorporation of
trends in colors, patterns, materials, and
hardware are also part of what make a high end
designer bag worth it's cost.

Larger tote bags are often big
enough to carry items as large as a tablet or
notebook computer which is ideal for those with
busy urban lifestyles that require being out for
most of the day and evening without returning
home. Smaller bags are appealing to those
who need to regularly carry nothing more than
keys, cell phones, and credit cards.

Neutral colors are favored by women who own only
a bag or two that needs to coordinate with most
of their wardrobe. These can include bags
with metallic and pearl finishes, in addition to
classics such as black, brown, white and navy
blue. Bags in the red color family are
also considered a classic pop of color that adds
interest to most outfits. Animal prints and
textures add a touch of personality while
remaining in the classic style category.

More diverse colors and patterns are appealing
to trend setters who take great care in
coordinating the overall impact of their looks.
Shoes and bags
are no longer expected to match, both affording
an opportunity to add interest and style to an
outfit. In fact, many plus size women find
accessories to be their main source for
personalizing their style, especially those who
appreciate higher end fashion which is still
limited in availability in larger sizes.
For example, simple black in the best fabrics
and tailoring can make a stunning foil for
designer bags that bring more color, pattern, or
pop to an ensemble that is a unique expression
of the personality of the wearer.

Shopping Resources for Designer Handbags

Imitations, knock-offs, and fakes are rampant in
this fashion category, so being assured of an
authentic designer bag is important to many.
Consequently, some of the best resources remain
the upscale department stores that stand one
hundred percent behind their goods as the
genuine articles.

Bergdorf Goodman,
Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, and
Saks Fifth
Avenue have the toniest, most expensive designer
brands that incorporate some of the rarest and
most exotic materials. These can easily
cost thousands of dollars apiece and are some of
the most influential status symbols for those
"in the know". Another fantastic resource
is licensed on-line global runway dealer Luisa
Via Roma, which is the only place full designer
lines become available immediately after show,
often for pre-orders.

Nordstrom and
Lord & Taylor both offer premium
designer bags at that level, and slightly less
expensive options that cost hundred, not
thousands to purchase. Quality and
workmanship is superb at this level, in addition
to styling details that are missing from less
pricy lines.

A similar mix of mid tier designers and high end
designer bags is available from fashion shopping
hot spot,
Shop Bopwhich has an especially deep inventory of
genuine designer bags.

Dillard's and
Macy's are great shopping
destinations for designer diffusion handbag
lines such as MICHAEL Michael Kors and Calvin
Klein, and contemporary designers such as
Jessica Simpson and Vince Camuto. Classics
such as Coach, Brahmin, and Dooney & Bourke are
very popular designer bags here and retail in
the lower hundreds.

Style destination QVC also carry celebrity and
stylist designer lines such as Fiore by Isabella
Fiore and Isaac Mizrahi Live! The Vera
Bradley selection is especially good, with
extended payment installment plans often
available for pricier bags.

Well known shoe super store, Zappos, also
carries a stellar collection of handbags.
Designer labels here run the gamut from a
hundred to thousands of dollars with popular
designers including Rebecca Minkoff, Furla,
Alexander McQueen, and Mara Hoffman.

Amazon is a surprise resource, but well worth
the stop. The growing fashion collections
and lines here are proving to be extremely
popular with shoppers drawing more and more big
designer brands in as this shopping space
continues to skyrocket.

Bargain Designer Handbag Shopping

Genuine designer handbags at discount prices can
most reliably be found in places such as Saks
Off Fifth which is owned by Saks Fifth Avenue,
and Last Call which is owned by Neiman Marcus.

The Editor's Picks Portion of This Shopping
Guide Have Been Discontinued